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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Komt Een Vrouw bij de Doktor

This book was first recommended to me by a friend. We're both working on learning Dutch and she was advised by a teacher to read the book by Ray Kluun in preparation for the film version which was just about to come out. When I lamented the fact that I needed to improve my reading skills, she recommended that I pick up the book.

At this point, she was quite a ways into the book and tried to sell me on it by telling me a bit about it. She said it was about a man who discovers that his wife has cancer and spends the remainder of her life screwing anything that moves. "He's a total d!@k, but you're really with him the whole time." Um, you're a great girl Katie and I really love ya and all but... no thanks!

But I kept the idea in the back of my mind. I then came across a summary of the English version of the book and began to think that maybe this was a story I could get into. So I went on a search for the book in Dutch... and found it nowhere! The book was so popular that copies were selling faster than flies on dung. I was unable to get my hands on a copy. When I finally did, the film was already out. No way I could finish the book in time, so I put it back on the shelf with the idea of reversing the order Katie's teacher had recommended: movie first, then book.

Up till now, I had never seen a film in Dutch. Kids shows I could handle, I totally owned BabyTV (in my defense, I was babysitting a 1-year-old), and my strongest link with Dutch was listening, but I highly doubted that I could make it through a full-length feature film and really get anything worthwhile out of it. Eventually, I found myself having to watch a Dutch movie in class. I loved it! So much so that I went out and bought my own copy right after class. Though I can't honestly say I understood everything, but I was never lost and felt really good about the experience. My excuse not to see Komt Een Vrouw Bij de Dokter would no longer hold.

It was off to the movies with two girlfriends. And here's what I thought:

This movie was the best I think I have ever seen. Gorgeous story, fabulously real characters, gut-wrenching topics and cinematography. I cried like I have never cried before at a movie (and I've cried at many a movie). As far as I could tell, there was no dry eye in the house when the film ended. Given the topic and the storyline, all this doesn't seem possible. But it is.

If you have not yet seen the film and want to wait to see it for yourself, stop reading now.

From the moment Carmen is diagnosed until Stijn gives Luna the final gift from her mother, you're with the characters all the way. The film directors in no way try to "protect" you from the emotional and physical pain of cancer. It doesn't leave out how people are changed by this experience and you feel the loss at the end just like the subjects in the film. These people are real. This experience is real. This story is real. It's exposed and raw and crude and so utterly human.

My god did I want to hate Stijn. Bedding anyone that would open her legs to him, taking off his wedding ring when it proved useful, and not hesitating to but his own libido before his wife and child. But I couldn't. I was actually sympathetic to this character. Though I knew it was morally wrong what he was doing, though I knew that my husband would wish his own death rather than feel my wrath should he take part in such indiscretions, though it tore me apart to think how this was hurting Carmen, I found myself - much to my shock and discomfort - understanding his actions. Agree? No. Understand? Yes. It's so easy to sit back and judge, thinking we would never do such a thing, but until you are put in such a situation, you have no idea. Throughout the film, he's Carmen's rock. But who is supposed to be his?

Watching this disease destroy their lives was painful. Watching them change and grow apart from each other and come to grips with death and loss was heartbreaking. You sit through every chemo session, you witness the clumps of hair tumbling from her head, you see her massacred body following her radiation treatments and the mastectomy, you may as well be the one to fetch the trash bin each time Carmen wretched. It was that close. It was that real. Even Roos, the other woman, was someone you felt for and wanted things to work out for. Even though you knew what had to happen for her to reach that point. And, unbelievably, never does the love between Carmen and Stijn falter.

It's a touchy, controversial subject and every inch of moral fiber goes out the window. This is a film that draws different emotions from each of it's viewers and this is only mine. I fully expect others to disagree and others still to come up with even still more and different interpretations of what they see when they witness this film. I would love to hear yours.

That's just the story. The acting was superb, the standouts being, of course Carice van Houten as Carmen and Barry Atsma (who is gor-ge-ous, by the way) as Stijn. Anna Drijver also does a wonderful job as Roos. I also really enjoyed Jeroen Willems' performance as Stijn's friend and business partner Frenk. There are some amazing actors in this film (good thing for Brad Pitt that Barry's not headed to Hollywood any time soon, and I'd take Carice over Cate Blanchette any day. Not to mention that fact that Anna Drijver could totally pass for Minnie Driver). Talk about dragging the audience along with the character and letting them see inside the characters' heads. Just amazing.

Cinematography is also stunning. The color, the lights, the angles. Especially in the club scenes with Stijn is the camera work just consuming. The hospital scenes are filmed with some sort of sterility that is so fittingly soul sucking.

It's been a few months since I saw the film, but I still see everything so vividly. I'm dying to watch it again. This is even one I think the echtgenoot (husband) would enjoy. And, of course, I'll be pulling that book back off the shelf! Echt niet te filmen? Dat denk ik niet!

The movie has only just come out on DVD and Blue Ray here in the Netherlands, though it is not yet available on Amazon. You can check out the film's site on the Internet Movie Database. If you're interested in the book, but have no desire to tackle the Dutch version, Kluun also has an English translation titled Love Life. Komt Een Vrouw Bij de Dokter translates to A Woman Goes to the Doctor.


Well, let's hear it. Have you seen this film? What did you think of the movie? Were you able to relate or sympathize? How many packs of tissues did you go through?

Alejandro & Mom, Vintage Photos


I love the idea of the contest, of sharing and being able to see other people's vintage photos. We tend so much to see fashion as something idealized and this really connects it with people's lives, it's great.

This a picture of my mother Willy van Rooy and me in Paris, I'm guessing the year must be 1970 or 71 at the most (I was born in 68). Apart from being an iconic model in the 60's and 70's who worked with the best photographers and designers, my mother was, and still is, a person with an amazing and very individual fashion sense (which later in life led her to become a successful fashion and shoe designer). I never remember her following fashion or buying clothes off-the-rack.

What I love about this picture is that it really shows her style, the mix of old-Hollywood glamour (the 30's vintage coat, the red lips, the short snake-skin jacket), with absolute freedom (the embroidered dress, the hand-made spanish boots, the Ibiza basket, the scarf and the flowing hair). And... don't I look like the cutest little hippie?

All the best,
Alejandro

Summer/Fall Haircut: Medium Curly Hair Style For Women

Planning a new hairstyle? If you have long or medium length hair, why not try the trendy new curly hair style? The medium curly hairstyle is fashionable!

Medium Curly Hair Style For Women 2010

Medium Curly Hair Style For Women

This picture was taken on the fashion week in Paris, look at these people, which hairstyle is more atracctive? Ofcourse, this medium curly haircut!This is a definite plus for those who have very curly hair that is difficult to straighten on a daily basis.

Medium curly hair styles make the most sense for women who don't want hair that is truly short, but also don't want the hassle of long hair. Medium-length curly hair that bounces is a fun style that most women with straight hair envy.

But,there are a lot women who have curly hair that seems to never do what it's supposed to do,most of the time, they pull their hair back into some sort of ponytail or braid because they don't know what else to do with it, what make no sense, really.

If you take more care,with a few tips and a talented hair stylist, most people with curls can find the perfect medium curly hair style that looks great and is easy to manage.Just go and have try, get a new attractive sexy medium length curly hair style right now!

Short Sedu Haircuts 2010 for Women Pictures

Sedu hair styles when added sufficient volume and texture gives a sexy edgy look to the women wearing them. Styling of sedu hair is easy to maintain as they can be easily done with a flicking method taking your hair ends out. Cute short haircuts are the most sexier and easier haircut for any women as they can be blended with any type of hair regardless of short hair or long hair, hair length and texture.

Short Sedu Haircuts 2010 for Women Pictures
sedu short haircuts for women 2010 fashion trends
Cute short haircuts for women 2010 fashion trends

Hair Style Wedding

Hair Style Wedding

long Curly Hair Styles 2010

long Curly Hair Styles 2010

Hair Rebonding Treatment

Hair Rebonding Treatment

Friday, May 21, 2010

2008 Summer Short Straight Blonde Bob Hairstyles

short Blonde fringe  hairstyle Short straight blonde bob with volume at the crown and a sweeping fringe

2008 Summer Short Straight Blonde Bob Hairstyles

short Blonde fringe  hairstyle Short straight blonde bob with volume at the crown and a sweeping fringe

Wedding Hairstyles Pictures- Long Tangled Curls

This style is very simple but attractive with extra long layers that have been curled loosely all through the hair. For beach weddings, this hairstyle should be considered.
Wedding  Hairstyles- Long Smooth Curls
Wedding Hairstyles pictures- Long tangled Curls

Wedding Hairstyles- Long Smooth Curls
Long Smooth Curls

Wedding Hairstyles Pictures- Long Tangled Curls

This style is very simple but attractive with extra long layers that have been curled loosely all through the hair. For beach weddings, this hairstyle should be considered.
Wedding  Hairstyles- Long Smooth Curls
Wedding Hairstyles pictures- Long tangled Curls

Wedding Hairstyles- Long Smooth Curls
Long Smooth Curls

High Heel Converse

Converse High Heel
High Heel Converse
High Heel Converse Shoes
Converse High Heel
High Heel Converse

High Heel Sandals for you

High Heel Sandals
High Heel Sandals
High Heel Sandals
High Heel Sandals
High Heel Sandals

10 Things to Have in Your Purse in The Netherlands

"Always be prepared" - that's the Boy Scout motto.

It should also be the expat's motto. You never know what you're going to need and when you're going to need it - especially in The Netherlands where the bureaucracy is indecisive at best and unpredictable is an understatement when describing the weather.

To help you better prepare for life in The Netherlands, here's a list of 10 things I have learned to keep in my purse at all times.

Pssst! Tyra, I think you're going to need a bigger purse...
  1. Residence permit - Once you have this, it's really the only form of identification you need. In most cases it's preferred over passports and (Dutch) driver's licenses.
  2. Camera- With all the photo ops in this country, you'll be sorry if you leave this at home.
  3. Agenda - The Dutch make plans for everything. Even a coffee date has to be scheduled at least a week in advance. The Dutch are not much on people "just dropping in." I must say, this is one of those traits the Dutch possess that I really like.
  4. OV Chipkaart (or Strippenkaart) - This is your key to getting around the country. It works on trains, trams, the metro, and buses. Just hold the Chipkaart in front of the scanner and wait for the "Goede Reis" ("Have a nice trip") signal. Be sure you always have enough money on it!
  5. Bicycle seat cover - Whether you keep it on your bicycle seat at all times or keep it in your bag to place on the seat, when it rains while your bike is outdoors, you will be very grateful for it.
  6. Key to bike lock - Always, ALWAYS lock up your bike here in The Netherlands if you want it to still be there when you get back. Leaving your bike unlocked is like leaving your keys in the car with the doors open.
  7. Sweater - Dutch weather is unpredictable at best. Though the Dutch say "april doet wat hij wilt" ("April does what it wants") you could say this about absolutely any day of the year here in the Netherlands. Just because it's hot and sunny when you leave the house doesn't mean you won't be freezing by the time you reach your destination.
  8. Poncho - If you haven't heard, it rains a lot in The Netherlands. When you have a bike commute in the rain, this is the only thing that will keep you from showing up soaked.
  9. Umbrella - See numbers 5 and 8. This is for extra protection. And you will need it. Having an umbrella in my purse at all times has proven to be a lifesaver more times than I have appendages to count on. Even if you ignore everything else on this list, don't allow yourself to forget this item.
  10. Brush - You will always cycle against the wind here and it rains more often than it doesn't. Once you get to your final destination, you will need this item to ensure that it doesn't look like you're trying for dreadlocks.
Anything else I missed or do you do have something in addition that has proven handy to carry around at all times? Feel free to leave them in a comment.

    Cute short haircuts pictures winter 2010

    These days you will see many celebrities with short and sexy hairstyles. Celebrities tells by their hairstyles to to other women who want to be trendy which hairstyle is in fashion and which is the hottest.Celebrities hairstyles have their own charm and attract the people towards them.For this haircuts in the pictures the heavier fringes cover most of one eye, the longer asymmetrical line makes a statement on the other side that barely touches the shoulder. This haircuts are very cute check this pictures:

    Cute short haircuts pictures winter 2010
    Cute short haircuts pictures winter 2010

    Cute short haircuts pictures winter 2010

    On the Street....White Heat, Florence

    Men of Moscow

    I had to save these shots from last trip to Moscow until they appeared in my GQ page.
    The thing that impressed me about men's style in Moscow is that it's really unlike that of any European city.
    This young Moscow generation is really pushing againist the city's image of blinged-out Versace-ism and is looking to make a new statement for themselves. The haircuts are different in Moscow too, I mean, when was the last time you saw a guy wearing an updated Beatles shag that actually looked pretty cool?

    I think this push against bling has most affected the young designers in Moscow. It seems that fleece has replaced cashmere as the primary fabric of choice. I saw it worn colorblocked (as above) and mixed with leather (below). With fleece as a core fashion fabric, young designers can afford to take more chances with design, color, and assortment.


    It was great to see the high-end fashion boutiques in Moscow hanging collections of small, local designers next to the big international brands.

    It was also funny/cringy to see Amercian West done as a fashion statement in a super cool shop like Kuznetsky Most 20.
    I'm betting the Moscow retail scene will become one of the best and most daring over the next ten years. Rents are still low, the people are hungry for fashion and there is a deep history of great artistic expression in the Russian people.

    Now if they can just get a few more cool hotels and restuarants.

    2010 Short Blonde Bob Hairstyle with Long Layers

    Short Hairstyle with Long layers work best with pieces hitting at the nose, the chin and the collarbone. Consider a v-shaped style where the length is mainly in the back, while the sides and front of your hair appear shorter. Also, consider adding wave or curls to the hair for a special look of your own.

    2010 Short Blonde Bob Hairstyle with Long Layers

    Artikel Dunia Kerja "Siapkah Anda Menghadapi Tren Dunia Kerja Tahun Ini? "

    Perkembangan dunia usaha, bisnis, teknologi dan media yang dinamis mau tidak mau juga membawa perubahan dalam korporasi dan dunia kerja, baik dalam tren, metode rekrutmen, maupun manajemen lingkungan kerja. Pada akhirnya perkembangan tersebut juga akan memberikan dampak bagi Anda, baik sebagai seorang profesional maupun pencari kerja. Beberapa tren dunia kerja tahun 2010 yang sebaiknya Anda ketahui adalah sebagai berikut :


    Jenis Pekerjaan atau Lowongan Kerja
    Berdasarkan data dari JobsDB.com, di tahun 2010 ada beberapa jenis pekerjaan yang paling dibutuhkan oleh perusahaan. Jenis pekerjaan ini jatuh dalam 3 kategori yaitu :


    1. Kategori akunting dengan posisi staf akunting, accounting supervisor, internal auditor, chief of accounting.
    2. Kategori industri spesifik yaitu penambangan dan manufaktur. Untuk industri penambangan posisi favorit adalah geologist (senior maupun junior), safety health environment officer dan geophysicist. Sementara di industri manufaktur posisi yang paling dibutuhkan adalah supervisor produksi dan quality assurance.
    3. Kategori teknologi informatika. Lowongan yang paling sering muncul di bidang ini adalah application specialist, software design dan engineering, system and network support.


    Lingkungan Kerja Perubahan teknologi dan perekonomian dunia maupun negara yang mulai membaik membuat banyak perusahaan mulai melakukan perubahan atau penyesuaian dalam operasional perusahaannya

    1. Akan semakin banyak perusahaan yang memanfaatkan social media untuk menguatkan brand, menciptakan image perusahaan atau sebagai media komunikasi dengan customer dan klien. Saat ini hampir semua orang terhubungkan melalui social media sehingga salah satu akses yang cukup besar untuk ‘meraih’ targeted potential customer bisa dilakukan lewat jalur ini. Hal ini juga membuat munculnya jenis pekerjaan atau posisi baru yaitu mereka yang khusus menangani dan mengembangkan strategi PR, meraih customer baru atau mempertahankan loyal customer melalui media ini.

    2. Sebuah penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Career Builder pada perusahaan di Amerika menyatakan bahwa di tahun 2010 banyak perusahaan (30% dari peserta survey) akan menggantikan karyawan yang berperforma rendah dengan mereka yang performanya lebih tinggi. Besar kemungkinan hal yang sama akan dilakukan perusahaan di Indonesia, terutama perusahaan yang pertumbuhannya melaju dengan cepat. Karyawan dengan performa rendah seringkali diidentifikasikan sebagai mereka yang tidak bisa atau lambat menyesuaikan diri dengan pertumbuhan perusahaan.

    3. Semakin banyak perusahaan akan terus menerapkan atau memulai gerakan green work environment. Kebijakan untuk melakukan penghematan stationery, listrik, penggunaan produk lokal dan alat atau teknologi yang hemat energi akan semakin banyak dilakukan oleh perusahaan karena selain terbukti bisa menekan belanja rutin juga memberikan kontribusi positif bagi pelestarian lingkungan.

    4. Perusahaan lebih memilih memiliki karyawan bilingual. Gaung mengenai pasar bebas yang semakin dekat dan kemungkinan untuk bekerja sama dengan investor dari berbagai negara membuat banyak korporasi semakin sadar bahwa karyawan yang bisa berkomunikasi dengan 2 atau lebih bahasa adalah aset berharga. Karyawan yang menguasai lebih dari satu bahasa bisa mempresentasikan image perusahaan atau brand baru kepada target yang lebih luas.


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    Artikel Dunia Kerja "Siapkah Anda Menghadapi Tren Dunia Kerja Tahun Ini? "

    Perkembangan dunia usaha, bisnis, teknologi dan media yang dinamis mau tidak mau juga membawa perubahan dalam korporasi dan dunia kerja, baik dalam tren, metode rekrutmen, maupun manajemen lingkungan kerja. Pada akhirnya perkembangan tersebut juga akan memberikan dampak bagi Anda, baik sebagai seorang profesional maupun pencari kerja. Beberapa tren dunia kerja tahun 2010 yang sebaiknya Anda ketahui adalah sebagai berikut :


    Jenis Pekerjaan atau Lowongan Kerja
    Berdasarkan data dari JobsDB.com, di tahun 2010 ada beberapa jenis pekerjaan yang paling dibutuhkan oleh perusahaan. Jenis pekerjaan ini jatuh dalam 3 kategori yaitu :


    1. Kategori akunting dengan posisi staf akunting, accounting supervisor, internal auditor, chief of accounting.
    2. Kategori industri spesifik yaitu penambangan dan manufaktur. Untuk industri penambangan posisi favorit adalah geologist (senior maupun junior), safety health environment officer dan geophysicist. Sementara di industri manufaktur posisi yang paling dibutuhkan adalah supervisor produksi dan quality assurance.
    3. Kategori teknologi informatika. Lowongan yang paling sering muncul di bidang ini adalah application specialist, software design dan engineering, system and network support.


    Lingkungan Kerja Perubahan teknologi dan perekonomian dunia maupun negara yang mulai membaik membuat banyak perusahaan mulai melakukan perubahan atau penyesuaian dalam operasional perusahaannya

    1. Akan semakin banyak perusahaan yang memanfaatkan social media untuk menguatkan brand, menciptakan image perusahaan atau sebagai media komunikasi dengan customer dan klien. Saat ini hampir semua orang terhubungkan melalui social media sehingga salah satu akses yang cukup besar untuk ‘meraih’ targeted potential customer bisa dilakukan lewat jalur ini. Hal ini juga membuat munculnya jenis pekerjaan atau posisi baru yaitu mereka yang khusus menangani dan mengembangkan strategi PR, meraih customer baru atau mempertahankan loyal customer melalui media ini.

    2. Sebuah penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Career Builder pada perusahaan di Amerika menyatakan bahwa di tahun 2010 banyak perusahaan (30% dari peserta survey) akan menggantikan karyawan yang berperforma rendah dengan mereka yang performanya lebih tinggi. Besar kemungkinan hal yang sama akan dilakukan perusahaan di Indonesia, terutama perusahaan yang pertumbuhannya melaju dengan cepat. Karyawan dengan performa rendah seringkali diidentifikasikan sebagai mereka yang tidak bisa atau lambat menyesuaikan diri dengan pertumbuhan perusahaan.

    3. Semakin banyak perusahaan akan terus menerapkan atau memulai gerakan green work environment. Kebijakan untuk melakukan penghematan stationery, listrik, penggunaan produk lokal dan alat atau teknologi yang hemat energi akan semakin banyak dilakukan oleh perusahaan karena selain terbukti bisa menekan belanja rutin juga memberikan kontribusi positif bagi pelestarian lingkungan.

    4. Perusahaan lebih memilih memiliki karyawan bilingual. Gaung mengenai pasar bebas yang semakin dekat dan kemungkinan untuk bekerja sama dengan investor dari berbagai negara membuat banyak korporasi semakin sadar bahwa karyawan yang bisa berkomunikasi dengan 2 atau lebih bahasa adalah aset berharga. Karyawan yang menguasai lebih dari satu bahasa bisa mempresentasikan image perusahaan atau brand baru kepada target yang lebih luas.


    Bookmark and Share

    BWH5 Beach Bridelook with flower earrings

    BWH5 Beach Bridelook with flower earrings
    BWH5 Beach Bridelook with flower earrings

    bride hairstyle with waves blonde beach

    bride hairstyle with waves blonde beach
    bride hairstyle with waves blonde beach

    Thursday, May 20, 2010

    Expat Meme: Part 2

    She's done it again! Isabella over at A Touch of Dutch has done another expat Meme. Since I did her last one, I couldn't possibly miss this opportunity now, could I? So, here goes. Feel free to do the Meme as well and let me as well as Isabella know as we love to read them and it's always helpful for other expats to hear about the experiences of others.

    What activities or routines do you participate in now, on a daily or regular basis, which you had never done before in your home country? More than one example is great to share about!
    I cycle a LOT more now. Pretty much every day. Groceries on a daily basis is also new. Of course there's also the Dutch language thing. Naturally this is one thing I had never done before... especially not on a daily basis. I'm also taking an extensive Dutch course known as inburgering. That happens three days a week for three hours a day. I'm also a business owner - something I probably never would have done if I stayed in the US.

    If you will be soon or eventually going back to where you came from, do you feel you would be able to reintegrate well, or do you feel there would be difficulty? Please explain why you feel you would or wouldn't be able to get along fine. And would you choose to return to the place where you came from, or would you rather try a new location in your home country? If so, where?
    At the moment, we have no concrete plans to do anything really. We'll stay here as long as we're happy and go wherever our lives take us if and when it's time to move on. I think, at this point, it would be extremely difficult for me to readjust to life if we moved back to the States. Personality-wise, I fit in better here and there are so many aspects of the culture I have grown to adore that I would miss them terribly. I've also become quite spoiled by vacation days and healthcare and don't plan on giving those up so easily. It might be interesting to try France or the UK. I've spent time in both of those countries and really enjoyed them. I think it would be fun to live in either one for a spell (though I'd have to brush up on my French first)! If we were to go back to the US, I would just love love love to live in New York City. No matter where I go or what I see, it has always been - and I'm sure always will be - my favorite place in the world.

    Will you be living in the country where you are an expat for the rest of your life? For example, after you no longer need to be living abroad, if this is your situation, would you choose to remain in your host country? Or would you prefer to go back to where you came from?
    Again, it depends on where we are in our lives and what makes sense for us as a couple. I think it would be fun to live somewhere else before returning State-side though. Things change and people change, so who knows where we'll end up!

    Name at least one thing you had assumed/stereotyped about the culture and/or lifestyle of the citizens before you came to the country abroad where you are living? And if you were to now explain how you feel about these same assumption, would you say your assumption was correct? Or do you feel differently, after witnessing for yourself? Feel free to explain what you now think or how you now feel about this.
    To be honest, I knew so little about the Dutch and The Netherlands. My husband was, in fact, the first Dutch person I had ever met and my first time in The Netherlands was the first time I came to visit him. I'm actually ashamed that in all my schooling in the US I learned absolutely nothing about The Netherlands. Given the ties and connections between the countries, there's really no excuse for this. I think the Dutch are very liberal and open-minded. The government takes care of it's people, but the bureaucracy is the shambles. They're an outdoorsy, sturdy people who adore the sun and are attached to their bikes. And I've never seen anyone wearing clogs!

    Do you have experience living in other foreign countries beside the host country where you live currently? If so, please share differences in the culture you've experienced going from your home country to the other host country, as well as differences you've experienced upon coming to your current host country?
    I stayed in France for about a month with friends and did a three month study abroad in London at the British American Drama Academy. The first was for such a short time and I was with my "second family", so it wasn't really a big deal. I got to follow a French student to school and shop at the markets and speak French with the locals. The second experience was a bit different as it was mostly an American experience. I did get a good dose of British teaching tactics ("Well done, you!").

    What leads you to be abroad? Is it due to love, or do you have completely different circumstances? And if this is the case for you, did you get to choose the Netherlands? If so, why? Each of us has a different story, and I feel this is interesting for us all to share.
    My husband is Dutch. We met through mutual friends while he was on vacation in the US. So The Netherlands actually chose me. You can read more about our story here.

    Select one or more of the following and share, if you wish, about your thoughts on this. When you return to visit your home country, do you:

    A. Find yourself surprised by how things have changed while you were away? I haven't really noticed a change at all. But then, I've only been away for a year and a half.
    B. Explore areas where you grew up [to see how it's changed; visit friends & favorite former hangouts]? Not yet, but as my 10 year highschool reunion is coming up, I will do soon!
    C. Feel you have more knowledge and/or experience in, for example, worldly issues/topics? Absolutely. I know more about other cultures, I know more about Europe and I feel like I understand people better. I've seen my country and my people through other eyes and there is very little that can be more eye-opening than that.
    D. Feel personally or more culturally enriched by your experience[s] living abroad? I do. I feel more empowered and self-sufficient. And by exploring the cultures of others and getting a better look at your own, you can only grow.
    E. Ever find yourself explaining how the stereotypes of your own and/or your host country are not true? Actually, I sadly always have to be reminded by fellow Americans that the stereotypes of my own country are not always true. I'm continually explaining the ridiculousness of the stereotypes Americans have of the Netherlands are not always true.
    F. Find your political beliefs have changed? Nope. Just strengthened!
    G. Other.
    And one last question, for those who are no longer expats: Have you already moved back to your home country? If so, have you experienced re-entry or reverse culture shock [definition of this here]? This does not apply to me, but if it does to you, please answer the question in a comment or do this Meme for yourself and link back to it! In the meanwhile, here's a report I did recently on Culture Shock in The Netherlands for Expat Exchange.
    If you do this meme, please let me know in the comments and link to me, as I'd love to read what you have to share and believe your answers will too be helpful for other expats or future expats.

    All this talk about Memes make me think about interviews. And speaking of interviews, I will be running a series of Expat Interviews here on Clogs and Tulips beginning in June. If you're interested in participating, email me at americancloggie@aol.com.